How many points is 1 pixel at 96 DPI?

At 96 DPI (the CSS reference pixel standard), 1 px = 72 ÷ 96 = 0.75 pt. So 16 px = 12 pt, which is the typical browser default font size in points.

Why is 72 used in the formula?

A typographic point is defined as 1/72 of an inch. To convert pixels to points, multiply by 72 and divide by DPI: pt = px × (72 ÷ DPI).

What DPI should I use for screen design?

Use 96 DPI for standard CSS/web design. For print at standard quality use 150 DPI, and for high-quality print use 300 DPI. Apple Retina displays use 2× logical pixels, but the CSS DPI remains 96.

Is 1 px = 1 pt the same thing?

Only at 72 DPI (the old Mac screen standard). On modern 96 DPI screens, 1 px ≠ 1 pt — 1 px equals 0.75 pt. The CSS unit "pt" is an absolute unit tied to physical inches, not screen pixels.

When would I need to convert pixels to points?

Common cases: writing CSS print media queries (which often use pt), exporting designs to Word or PDF, working with InDesign or Illustrator files, or specifying font sizes in desktop application development.

Pixels to Points Converter

Name: Pixels to Points Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter a pixel value and a DPI to get the exact typographic point equivalent instantly.

Convert Pixels to Points

Pixels (px)

DPI (dots per inch)

DPI Presets

Result

12 pt

16 px × (72 ÷ 96) = 12.000 pt

Common Font Sizes at 96 DPI

Reference: px → pt conversion at the standard CSS screen DPI of 96.

Pixels (px)	Points (pt)	Common use

Formula

pt = px × (72 ÷ DPI)

One typographic point is exactly 1/72 of an inch. At 96 DPI, 1 px = 72/96 = 0.75 pt.

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Summary

Enter a pixel value and a DPI to get the exact typographic point equivalent instantly.

How it works

Enter the number of pixels (px) you want to convert.
Set the DPI (dots per inch) — default is 96 for standard screens.
The point value is calculated using: pt = px × (72 ÷ DPI).
Use the DPI presets for common scenarios: 96 (screen), 72 (legacy Mac), 150/300 (print).
Copy the result or use the reference table for common pixel sizes.

Use cases

Convert screen CSS pixel font sizes to typographic points for print stylesheets.
Translate pixel-based design specs to point values for desktop publishing.
Check point equivalents when exporting web layouts to PDF or Word documents.
Verify pixel-to-point ratios for high-DPI (Retina) display work.
Convert pixel measurements to points for InDesign, Illustrator, or other print tools.
Translate design specs given in pixels to CSS pt values for print media queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu